How to Organize Your Spices in 4 Easy Steps!

1. Go to http://www.stilltasty.com/ to make sure what you have on hand is still fresh as a daisy! Remove and replace any staples with new fresh spices.

2. Purchase containers (Ikea has some great options like a 4 pack of glass jars for under 5.00) for all of your spices plus at least 3 extra - they all need to be exactly the same with the exception of a larger size for your salts and peppers. Also - purchase a spice stacker ( the two that are in the picture below were purchased from Target) so that you can see all of your spices once labeled.

3. Fire up your labeler or you can purchase some from Mabels Labels (http://www.mabel.ca/) and label all of your spices, alphabetize them to find them easily. (In the picture below all of the salts and peppers are in larger containers on top to refill grinders etc, and the smaller glass jars on the bottom are for the spices.) Put any bulk items that you use less at the top and the alphabetized daily use spices at the bottom on the spice stacker.

4. I made this list for you:
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=rFLC4tlE4e08QxWN65nVD_g

Edit it for what you have and laminate it and use Velcro to stick to the inner cabinet and mark down when you run out. When you make a grocery run - just grab your "Out of Sheet" and run to the store!

Getting it all together is spicy!!

Likey, Likey

After you finish de-cluttering any little area - put like with like and then containerize the heck out of it - label it with **love** ( because I do love a cute label!) and you will find that you are on your way to organization at it's finest. Here are some samples of cheap ideas to get your organizational juices flowing ...



KITCHEN -

Use a clear shoe box from a big box store or dollar store to put all rice mixes or potato mixes together.

LAUNDRY -

Use fabric bins with a space for a label to contain your laundry needs:

LIVING ROOM -

Magazines on a coffee table can be neatly stacked in a clearance serving tray.

Getting it all together,

Purse Organizing

So you all know that I say the Purseket (http://www.purseket.com/) is "Magic for your Purse!" - well I also found this little lovely - The Butler Bag! Look at this happiness:















Now this one is actually from www.butlerbag.com for $125.00. I know I know .. that is some costly organization! They come in different sizes and six different colors.

So I went all Nancy Drew on these bags and discovered that you can buy a Faux Leather one made by the same company at Kmart for $14.99!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Girls - do yourself a favor and for $14.99 go to http://www.kmart.com/shc/s/p_10151_10104_030B010191120001P?sid=BVReview and snag one!

Still Tasty!

When do you need to throw out a spice and replace with a new one?

I found this great site that can tell you the shelf life of anything! It is wonderful!

Go to http://www.stilltasty.com/ :
















Now go directly to your pantry and start one shelf at a time - out with the old and in with the new!

A new day!

I love organizing! (Is there a support group for us all?? :)

So this is a new blog that I am starting to talk about organizing on a budget for our nest!
I use the word nest because we create our homes as a soft place for our family to rest, relax and enjoy. We need to enjoy our home as well!